Trainer/driver Stephane Pouliot dominated the Sunday, May 5 card at Rideau Carleton Raceway by capturing both $8,100 Preferred events as well as steering five winners, four of which came from his own stable.
Pasadena Star posted a four-length wire-to-wire victory in the Preferred Trot over Lmc Mass Gem in 1:54.3. the eight-year-old Kadabra gelding faced no pressure on a two-length lead through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:25.4. Lmc Mass Gem cahsed from second while holding of even-money favourite Flying Isa N rallying for third.
Owned by 9096 9205 Quebec Inc., Pasadena Star won his fifth race from 12 starts this season and his 36th from 154 overall, earning $392,686. Pouliot conditions the $7.70 winner.
Stonebridge Beach brushed to the lead past the quarter and endured little pressure when coasting to a 1:52.4 victory in the Preferred Pace. Caught wide fifth as Saulsbrook Peach posted a :27 opening quarter, Stonebridge Beach progressed uncovered to the lead nearing the :56.2 half and soon opened a three-length lead heading to a 1:24.1 third quarter. The 2-1 co-favourite wound down into the stretch, winning by one-and-a-half lengths over Bestofbest Hanover overtaking pocket-sitter Saulsbrook Peach for second.
A six-year-old stallion by Mach Three, Stonebridge Beach won his fourth race from 11 starts this season and his 23rd from 110 overall, earning $449,091. Pouliot also trains the $6.70 winner.
Pouliot drove two more of his trainees to victory as part of a natural late-card hat trick. He steered Beacon Hill ($48.00) to a 1:55.4 victory by a head against maiden competition, won with Stonebridge Beach, then wired a $6,000 conditioned pace with Ok Jasmine ($11.70) in 1:54.4. Pouliot also drove Alacrity ($4.50) to a wire-to-wire victory earlier in the card for trainer Melanie Plourde, winning a $6,900 conditioned trot by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:57.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.